<<I am retired an taking minimun distributions. Am I locked into benificiaries and converting to Roth? Can you reccomend a publication.>>

If you are age 70 1/2 and are taking mandatory minimum required distributions (MRD) from an IRA, then you are locked into the method you chose for the MRD. If that method involved using the joint life expectancy of you and a beneficiary, then you are also locked into the use of the life expectancy of that beneficiary. You may still change the beneficiary, but you cannot use the new beneficiary's life expectancy for your MRD calculation in future withdrawals.

You may also convert your IRA to a Roth IRA provided you meet the adjusted gross income level for doing so. BUT -- You must take and be taxed on the MRD in the year you convert. The MRD may not be transferred to the Roth. After you have taken the year's MRD, you may then convert what's left in the IRA to a Roth IRA.

IRS Publication 590 (Individual Retirement Arrangements) is the publication that governs MRD and conversions. You can download it at http://irs.gov.